Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Teen faces more than a dozen charges after knife attack at high school in Pickering

A 14-year-old girl is facing more than a dozen charges after several students and staff members were injured in a knife attack at a high school in Pickering Tuesday morning.

Police say the teen, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, will be charged with six counts of assault causing bodily harm, seven counts of assault with a weapon, one count of possession of weapons for a dangerous purpose and one count of assault.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred at Dunbarton High School, , located near Whites Road and Sheppard Avenue, just before classes were set to begin Tuesday morning.
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Students look on as members of the media interview a police officer outside Dunbarton High School following a stabbing incident at the school in Pickering, Ont., on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. High-school students described a chaotic scene at a suburban Toronto high school on Tuesday after a female classmate ran down the hallways knifing people, leaving six students and two teachers with non-serious injuries.

Durham Regional Police say at around 8:30 a.m., they were called to the school after students and staff were reportedly attacked by a female student who was waving around knives.

Nine people suffered minor injuries and only four were taken to hospital for treatment.

The female was subdued, police say, by some quick-thinking teachers, who tackled her to the ground and held her at the scene until police arrived.

Police previously said they believe the students and staff injured in the incident were targetted at random.

The school was closed Tuesday but classes resumed on Wednesday morning.

Speaking to reporters at the school Wednesday, John Legere, Supt. of Education for Pickering Schools, said social workers were on hand today following the incident and added that attendance was very high today.

"Students and their families that we spoke to are feeling very supported," Legere said.

When asked about social media posts the suspect made foreshadowing the attack, Legere said school officials are "becoming aware" of them.

"The police are certainly aware of online activity," Legere said.

The superintendent would not comment on reports that suggested the suspect had been bullied at the school.Please share this